Somerset, NJ – Recently obtained federal reports reveal that Huntingdon
Life Sciences use of dogs in painful experiments without anesthesia has more
than doubled, even though their overall experimental business has dropped.

In 2008, 77 dogs were force-fed toxic substances whose side effects
caused substantial pain, without receiving anesthesia. At least 5 of these
dogs were so injured by the toxic substances that they had to be killed. In
2007, only 30 dogs were used in experiments involving unrelieved pain.

“The concept that dogs, no different than those who share 43,000,000
American homes, are literally poisoned inside the labs of this facility is
totally shocking,” added Budkie. “This is not science; this is nothing short
of animal abuse.”

However, these same reports reveal that animal activists’ campaign
against the Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) Corporation has been effective.
Government reports filed by the company disclose a one-year drop of 34% in
animal use at the New Jersey laboratory.

2007 animal use reported to the USDA by HLS was 2143 regulated animals
(not including rats, mice etc.). 2008 animal use plummeted to 1415, a drop
of more than 1/3.

“Clearly the campaign by animal activists is having a major impact,” said
Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., executive director, SAEN. “Anytime you see a 1/3
drop in business in one year something is very wrong.”

Federal documents obtained recently by a watchdog group show the
University of Hawaii paid a $13,200 penalty last year for alleged federal
violations at the former Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory.

Louis Herman, UH emeritus professor of psychology, founded the research
facility in 1970 and was president and director of the Dolphin Institute, a
nonprofit scientific and educational organization. He was fined $7,503,
according to documents provided by the organization Stop Animal Exploitation
Now.

Frank Perkins, UH vice chancellor for research and graduate education,
said the university disagreed with findings of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service but negotiated a
settlement to resolve the case.

The fines "are virtually meaningless," said Michael Budkie, executive
director of the watchdog organization. "The death of the dolphins probably
had more financial significance." His group asked the National Science
Foundation for a permanent ban on funding of dolphin research at UH and/or
to Herman.

Perkins said there has been no ban. He said the alleged violations were
related to a UH research permit and an exhibitor permit. They generally
concerned inadequacy of the facility and handling of the animals.

The researchers were studying bottlenose dolphins. One died in 2000 of an
acute abdominal infection. Two females Herman brought here from the Gulf of
Mexico when they were under 2 years old died from cancer in 2004, and the
last dolphin, a 20-year-old male, died months later. A necropsy showed no
obvious cause of death.

Herman was renowned for groundbreaking studies on dolphin intelligence,
behavior, communication and sensory abilities. His research was often
featured in National Geographic and other scientific publications.

The Kewalo laboratory was demolished last year by the Hawaii Community
Development Authority.